News

Paper or plastic? That's no longer a choice

By Bill Moss, Published: April 21, 2020

LAUREL PARK — Paper or plastic is no longer a choice for Laurel Park homeowners.

The Laurel Park Town Council on Tuesday changed the town’s policy on bagged leaf pickup to require paper only. Council members have been talking about banning plastic bags for a while but the idea took on more gravity in the context of town workers’ potential exposure to the coronavirus.
“We are moving away from plastic-bagged leaves,” Town Manager Christopher Todd said. “We’re trying to reduce our waste but we also are reducing staff contact.”
Council members talked about the ban during a work session last week.
“I know that my staff definitely has a concern regarding picking up bags because those bags are filled by people who are actively working and sweating,” Public Works Superintendent Andrew Griffin said. “There’s definitely a concern by my staff regarding that issue.”
Effective Oct. 15, town residents who want bag leaf collection will have to use paper. The town will still do its fall round of pickup of curbside leaf piles.
“We will be sending out in our next newsletter information on where residents can find those bags to help better educate them on this process,” Todd said.